Skip to main content

What Does The Word Oligarchy Mean In English?

by
Last updated on 4 min read

In this page you can discover 18 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for oligarchy, like: diarchy , thearchy, duumvirate, oligarch, ruling-classes, theocracy, duarchy, aristocracy, triumvirate, regency and gerontocracy.

What does oligarchy mean?

oligarchy, government by the few, especially despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes . Oligarchies in which members of the ruling group are wealthy or exercise their power through their wealth are known as plutocracies.

What is another word for oligarchy?

In this page you can discover 18 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for oligarchy, like: diarchy , thearchy, duumvirate, oligarch, ruling-classes, theocracy, duarchy, aristocracy, triumvirate, regency and gerontocracy.

What is an example of oligarchy?

Examples of a historical oligarchies are Sparta and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth . A modern example of oligarchy could be seen in South Africa during the 20th century. ... Capitalism as a social system, exemplified most notably by the United States, is sometimes described as an oligarchy.

What is the opposite of an oligarchy?

In this sense, oligarchy can be thought of as the opposite of democracy —at least based on the roots of each word. While oligarchy is the “rule of the few,” democracy is thought of as the “rule of the many”—demo– means “people” and –cracy means “rule.” (A dictatorship is the “rule of the one.”)

What are characteristics of oligarchy?

The characteristics of an oligarchy include the act that the power is held in a very small group of people . These people may or may not be distinguished by one or several characteristics, such as nobility, fame, wealth, education, corporate, religious, political, or military control.

Who rules in an oligarchy?

Broadly speaking, an oligarchy is a form of government characterized by the rule of a few persons or families . More specifically, the term was used by Greek philosopher Aristotle in contrast to aristocracy, which was another term to describe rule by a privileged few.

What country has an oligarchy?

One of the most well-known oligarchies is Russia . An oligarchy has ruled Russia since the 1400s. Those who are wealthy in Russia have to maintain contacts within the government or lose their power.

What are the two types of oligarchy?

The correct answer is D ( theocracy and communism ) because the definition of an oligarchy is when a group of people rules over a majority.

What is the best example of an oligarchy?

Definitions and Examples of Oligarchies

Three of the most well-known countries with oligarchies are Russia, China, and Iran . Other examples are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and apartheid-era South Africa. Some critics would call the U.S. an oligarchy as well.

What is a modern example of oligarchy?

Modern Oligarchy Examples

A few examples of modern oligarchies are Russia, China, Iran, and perhaps the United States .

How do you use oligarchy in a sentence?

Examples of oligarchy in a Sentence

Their nation is an oligarchy. An oligarchy rules their nation. The corporation is ruled by oligarchy.

What is the root word for oligarchy?

The word oligarch has Greek roots, and comes from oligoi for “few” and arkhein “to rule .” When a country is ruled by an oligarchy, power isn’t in the hands of one person (like a monarchy) or the people (like a democracy) but a small group of people.

What are the words related to democracy?

  • equality.
  • freedom.
  • justice.
  • commonwealth.
  • emancipation.
  • equalitarianism.
  • republic.
  • suffrage.

Is United States an oligarchy?

The modern United States has also been described as an oligarchy because some literature has shown that economic elites and organized groups representing special interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy, while average citizens and mass-based interest groups have little or no independent ...

This article was researched and written with AI assistance, then verified against authoritative sources by our editorial team.
FixAnswer Philosophy Team
Written by

Covering ethical questions, spiritual practices, world religions, and philosophical concepts.

Is A Term Coined In 1972 By The Knapp Commission That Refers To Officers Who Engage In Minor Acts Of Corrupt Practices Eg Accepting Gratuities And Passively Accepting The Wrongdoings Of Other Officers?